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Ouseburn student scheme up in record time after developers ship containers from China

With Newcastle ever-increasing its amount of student accomodation sites around the city, could a new method of erecting properties be here to stay?

A new student accommodation scheme has been completed in record time with its first phase over 80% full.

The 270-bed Glass Works development on Coquet Street in Ouseburn, Newcastle, has been completed in less than a year by Brims Construction, working on behalf of Hong Kong developers Bricks Capital.

The speed of delivery is due to a modular construction method deployed by the developers which involves using containers shipped from China.

Ian Jackson, director of Bricks Capital, says this method ‘speeds up delivery time to market’ and provides ‘hotel-style accommodation at student rental prices’.

He also praised the work of Sunderland-based Brims, which has added another string to its bow by successfully completing its first modular student scheme.

He explained: “We have used this method once before to build a new hotel, but now we have successfully tried this approach on the student accommodation market we will use this as a template for similar developments.

“We have been approached with offers of sites in Newcastle and are working on further such schemes across the UK.”

Mr Jackson praised the work of Brims saying the ‘day-today running and management of the construction process was second to none’.

“The thing that sticks in my mind is the level of attentiveness shown by the Brims’ site managers. It was first class and the quality of the work and level of service was excellent. It was very good job and Brims were great to work with.”

Glass Works comprises of five separate blocks, around a private courtyard, three of these blocks are constructed from shipping container pods, which were built in China, and arrived on site completely fitted out as bedrooms and bathrooms.

Richard Wood, director at Brims Construction, said: “By working closely with our client we were able to deliver the development within the tight time constraints.

“We’ve carried out different types of pre-fabricated builds before, but nothing to this extent. This is the first modular build of this type in the country and we hope it will become a bit of a niche market for us moving forward.”